With their Championship survival already in the bag, Rotherham travelled to Leeds for their curtain-closing game of the season knowing the pressure was off.
With the manager Steve Evans hogging the headlines in the build-up to the game with his pledge to wear a sombrero and beach wear, the attention was hardly on the match itself.
But once the game got underway the Millers put in a credible performance and ensured they ended the season on a positive note.
Here's five things we learned from the game.
No one should ever doubt the Millers’ spirit
Having secured their survival in the week and Evans spending most of Wednesday, Thursday and Friday telling everyone he was going to turn up at Elland Road in a sombrero and beachwear you could be excused for thinking that the Millers might not have been entirely up for this game. But once Evans had shed the shorts and donned the suit, it was business as usual and his side put in a whole-hearted and committed effort, which could have yielded three points had they been more clinical in the final third. Every player put in a full shift, with not one tackle or challenge shirked. As Evans has said (several times) over the last week or so, “they can take our points, but they’ll never take our spirit”.
The players deserve their holidays
Judging by some of the wide-eyed smiles as the players walked down the tunnel back towards the team coach after the game and their subsequent social media updates, the Millers squad is looking forward to some time away - but they deserve it. It has been an undulating season, filled with highs and lows, and while they may have been found wanting for quality at times throughout the campaign, they were rarely second best when it came to hard work, commitment and endeavour. That sun-soaked afternoon at Derby on the opening day of the season seems such a long time ago and so much has happened since then, none more so than in the last few weeks, which will have been an emotional burden on the squad. They can now go away and relax, enjoying a holiday twice as long as last year, and come back in July knowing the hard work starts all over again.
Another season done. Newcastle Bound @Conor_Newton1 pic.twitter.com/hWkxfMIAhG— Ben Pringle (@benpringle18) May 2, 2015
Jonson Clarke-Harris can kick it really hard
The Millers’ record transfer signing showed everyone how powerful his left foot can be with his exploits in the home game against Leeds and he was at it again at Elland Road. Having come on as a sub, the 20-year-old, who has spent most of 2015 playing in League One, was having a difficult time of it up against Sol Bamba and spent most of the time on his behind. But he almost snatched a winner late on when he won a free-kick on the edge of the box, picked himself up and arrowed a fizzing shot which whistled just past the post. Keeper Stuart Taylor had barely blinked by the time the ball had gone past him and Clarke-Harris kicked the ball so hard he actually broke it, bending it out of shape. Now, if he could develop into a striker who can hold the ball up, link play and win headers then the Millers could have someone who will repay the £400,000 that was spent on him.
Emi Martinez was the signing of the season
As well as Adam Collin had done in goal for the Millers this season, his limitations were highlighted when Martinez came into the side. The on-loan Arsenal goalkeeper was arguably the best of Evans’ 31 signings this term and his performances over the final six weeks of the season went a long way to helping the Millers to safety. As well as his impressive shot-stopping and safe handling, his commanding of the area and kicking just gave a reassuring peace of mind to the defence, which was sometimes missing with Collin. That was highlighted at Elland Road as the Millers were coming under a bit of pressure, Martinez received a backpass when on his line, but he coolly let it come across his body before producing a fine clearance just a yard from the goalline and under pressure from a Leeds attacker. Even if Martinez does not return next season, which is looking unlikely, his performances have highlighted that a goalkeeper could be top of Evans’ shopping list in the summer.
Been a pleasure to have played for @OfficialRUFC glad that we stayed where we deserve, time to comeback home#AFC pic.twitter.com/SteZrcBOlq— Damian Emi Martinez (@emimartinezz1) May 2, 2015
‘We’re the Rotherham boys, making all the noise’
The prospect of paying £36 to go and watch the Millers at Leeds is not as enticing as it would have been in previous years given some of the grounds they have visited this season, especially with nothing riding on the game. So the 2,477 fans that dug deep and shelled out deserve a lot of praise, not to mention the 90 minutes of chanting and the added expenses of fancy dress. The support shown at Elland Road was a fitting end to a fantastic season-worth from the Millers faithful, who have not always had it easy watching their side on the road this year. And it didn’t go unnoticed by Evans, who said: “We've had a fantastic Millers support here today. They never stopped singing for me from start to finish. They've been round the country with us. Home and away, they've stood by us. On behalf of the dressing room and on behalf of the chairman, I'd like to thank each and every one of them.” We suspect there would have been far less enjoyment for their £36 if there were no sombreros on show and the Millers had to get a result.
